A central component of this Administration's broad commitment to trade
liberalization has been to advance hope, opportunity, and prosperity in
both developed and developing countries by reducing barriers to trade
and investment. In this regard, the African Growth and Opportunity Act
(AGOA) is a key pillar of the Administration's policy to spur economic
development, alleviate poverty, and encourage trade in sub-Saharan
Africa.

On December 21, President Bush determined that the following 36
countries continue to be eligible for economic and trade benefits under
AGOA: Angola; Benin; Botswana; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Chad; Republic of
the Congo; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; Ethiopia; Gabon;
The Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Kenya; Lesotho; Madagascar;
Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia; Niger;
Nigeria; Rwanda; So Tome and Principe; Senegal; Seychelles; Sierra
Leone; South Africa; Swaziland; Tanzania; Uganda; and Zambia. Burkina
Faso was designated as eligible for economic and trade benefits under
AGOA on December 10, 2004. The President has removed Cote d'Ivoire
from the list of eligible countries.

As required by legislation, this annual determination allows for
the provision of certain benefits to those countries that are making
continued progress toward a market-based economy, the rule of law, free
trade, economic policies that will reduce poverty, and protection of
workers' rights. By providing these countries greater access to
American markets, AGOA can continue to spur development by fostering
new trade and economic opportunities and promoting shared values and
shared responsibilities.